Notices respect ill g Xciv Boohs. 221 



will be a valuable acquisition to the librarj' of the mechanical 

 student. The additions are chiefly illiistrated bv wood-cuts, 

 and there is one new plate : the work is haiidsoniel3', altliouoh 

 somewhat too widely ])rinted ; and the publisher deserves 

 praise, for having placed Mr. Buchanan's woi k in the hands 

 of an Editor, of a more scientific character tlian the author, 

 by which we have a combination of views on the same sub- 

 jects, very favourable to their improvement. At the com- 

 mencement of the first volume, a concise bio^mphical sketch 

 of the life of the author is given, in the Editor's prelace; 

 followed by a justly drawn esthnate, of his character and 

 Avritings. 



Zoological Researches in Java and the Ncighhnuring Islands ; lii 



Thomas HoRSFiELD, M.D. F.L.S. M.G.S. Five numbers. 



1821, 1822. Quarto. 



We have too long omitted to notice this valuable work 

 which has been for some time in a course of periodic;d publi- 

 cation. Dr. Horsfield, it may be remembered, was entra.o-ed 

 by Sir S. Raffles, during the short time that Java lemained in 

 our possession, to form a collection of the jn-oductions of that 

 island for the East India Company ; and he returned to this 

 country three years ago, bringing with him the fruits of his 

 researches, the greatest })art of which are now arranged in the 

 Museum at the India-House. The present work is j)ublished 

 we believe, under the patronage of the Honourable Company, 

 and is intended to comprise a selection of the most interestiiio- 

 quadrupeds and birds collected by the author. It is intended 

 to be completed in eight numbers, each containing ei'dit co- 

 loured plates, and generally another of anatomical outlines to 

 illustrate the subjects more fully. The plates t)f animals are 

 by Mr. W. Daniell, and, with a few exceptions, are in his 

 best maimer: those containing the anatomical details are su- 

 perior to any hitherto published in this country, and reflect 

 the highest credit on tlie artist, Mr. Taylor, who has given 

 such unecjuivocal jjroofs of high excellence in this department: 

 the birds are principally drawn on stone by Mr. Peliitier, ar.d 

 are very good specimens of lithogi-aphj'. 



It is not our object to enter into a critical examination of 

 the descriptions which accompany the plates. Dr. H. has pro- 

 posed several new genera, some of which, we think, rest on 

 go(Kl anil valid characters ; while others have been either ah-eady 

 made, or ajtpear to us not so likely to receive general adoption. 

 On the other hand, it should be stated, that the author appears 

 lobe actuated by a sincere and zealous spirit of investigation: 

 this is cbvious from liie course of inquiry he luis pursued, and 



llic 



